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Snake River spring chinook fishery to close early

Action: The Snake River from Texas Rapids Boat Launch upstream about 7 miles to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boat Launch (approximately 1 mile upstream from Little Goose Dam), will close for spring/summer chinook fishing after Sunday, May 17.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Location: From Texas Rapids Boat Launch upstream about 7 miles to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boat Launch (approximately 1 mile upstream of Little Goose Dam).

Effective Date: May 18, 2009 until further notice.

Reason for action: The upriver spring chinook run is expected to return at about half of the preseason forecast. Because the wild portion of the run is protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), fisheries must be managed to remain within the guidelines of the ESA.

Other information: Fishing open through Sunday, May 17. Daily Bag limit: 1 hatchery salmon, 12-inch minimum size. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All chinook with the adipose fish intact, and all steelhead, must be immediately released unharmed. In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks, and hooks must measure 5/8" or less from point to shank, when fishing for all species in these areas of the Snake River during the salmon fishery. Night closure is in effect. Anglers cannot remove any chinook from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit. The status of the upriver run is being monitored on a daily basis.